Animal monitoring telltale and information system

Abstract

An animal monitoring telltale device including a receiver attached to the animal and a transmitting device inserted in the animal subcutaneously or in a cavity at a location indicative of the deep body temperature of the animal. The implanted transmitter will send a signal to the proximately located receiver indicative of a monitored condition in the animal. In addition, the signal is encoded with an identification signal providing ownership information and theft protection. The receiver is preferably secured to an ear tag which tag includes a light or other visual signal indicative of a predetermined value of the measured condition. The receiver may also be operatively connected to a re-transmitter for re-transmitting a higher power signal to a remote monitoring location.

I claim: 
     
       1. An implantable telltale monitoring system for measuring a physiological parameter in an animal comprising: (a) a housing containing circuit means, said circuit means including a sensor for monitoring said parameter and operatively connected to a transmitter within said housing which emits a signal representative of the measured parameter of a predetermined magnitude, said housing configured to be placed at an implantable location on the animal; and   (b) a receiver unit having attachment means adapted to secure the receiver unit to the animal at a location proximate the transmitter and further including indicating means, said indicating means responsive to said signal received by said receiver unit and emitted by said transmitter to provide a localized indication perceivable by an attendant of said measured parameter being of said predetermined magnitude.   
     
     
       2. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said housing is fabricated from a biomedically acceptable plastic material and further wherein said housing is generally capsule-shaped to be implanted within the animal. 
     
     
       3. The monitoring system of claim 2 wherein said housing is provided with a cutting edge. 
     
     
       4. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said attachment means comprises a two-component ear tag. 
     
     
       5. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes a timer and threshold detection means whereby said transmitter is pulsed at predetermined intervals and is activated if said predetermined magnitude of said measured parameter is sensed. 
     
     
       6. The monitoring system of claim 5 further including signal generating means providing an encoded digital identification signal at predetermined intervals to said transmitter. 
     
     
       7. The monitoring system of claim 6 wherein said transmitter is a low power transmitter. 
     
     
       8. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said receiver unit further includes repeater transmitter means associated with said receiver unit and adapted to re-transmit a signal to a remote location when said receiver unit is actuated. 
     
     
       9. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said indicating means comprises a light and further including visual means for verifying the operability of said system. 
     
     
       10. The monitoring system of claim 1 wherein said indicating means includes a circuit on said attachment means having a temperature sensing element which is activated upon receipt of said signal at said receiver unit and which element actuates said indicating means. 
     
     
       11. The monitoring system of claim 10 wherein said indicating means includes a chemically sensitive area and heating means adjacent thereto, said heating means being actuable to cause a chemical change at said chemically sensitive area when said signal is received. 
     
     
       12. The monitoring system of claim 10 wherein said indicating means comprises an area defining a high visibility surface and an opaque protective cover overlying said surface and means responsive to said signal to remove said cover from said surface. 
     
     
       13. A method of telltale animal monitoring for monitoring a physiological parameter in an animal comprising: (a) providing monitoring means in an encapsulated housing, said monitoring means including sensor means and a transmitter operatively connected to said sensor means and adapted to emit a signal representative of a predetermined value of the physiological parameter being monitored;   (b) implanting said encapsulated housing in an incision in the animal and thereafter closing the incision and allowing the incision to heal;   (c) monitoring said signal at a receiver at a location on said animal proximate said transmitter; and   (d) providing a perceptible indication of said signal at the receiver when the signal reaches said predetermined value.   
     
     
       14. The method of claim 13 further including the steps of recovering said monitoring means from said animal and refurbishing said monitoring means for re-use. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 13 wherein said incision is made in the area generally defined by the posterior border of the conchal cartilege and caudally by the posterior border of the cleido-occipitalis muscle.